beautiful disaster

We were doing Psalm 119:9-16 yesterday for cell and the verse that struck me the most was verse 14: "I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches".

The reason why it stuck in my mind is that it wasn't the normal response to following God's laws and obeying Him. At least not my response. I definitely don't delight in following God's laws. Usually it's more of a "Huh? Oh...all right..."

But the Psalmist does! And not only that, he rejoices! He considers God's statues as precious as 'great riches'. Someone brought up this point: how would you feel if the most powerful person in the world struck an agreement with you? Honoured, definitely. I'd do whatever I can to keep to that agreement.

And that's what we're doing with God. It's a kind of agreement, and His precepts are the terms of the treaty (sorry, too much history). We should feel honoured and eager to have this opportunity but most of the time I feel reluctant to obey and sometimes even break these 'terms'.

jac was here with you 11/08/2003 04:57:00 pm

My Destiny
Psalm 46 (NASB)
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

There is river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
"Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.